On Wednesday, communications professor Ken Plowman sat down for a routine phone interview with The Daily Universe to discuss his work experience in the field.

Unlike other interviews however, this one was interrupted by rocket fire.

"They're sending Prime Minister Al-Maliki a message here," Plowman said, referring to the Iraqi Shia group that fired the missiles.

Plowman is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, working as chief of the Government of Iraq Outreach Office in Baghdad's Green Zone.

He now works as a liaison between the military and Iraqi media, and his responsibilities include reaching out to Iraqi media outlets, coordinating strategic public relation efforts and screening media releases for quality assurance. The work fits in with his education in public relations.

"I've got my own built-in professional development," Plowman said. "I'm literally getting new war stories to tell students when I get back."

Sixteen rockets flew into the Green Zone following Al-Miliki's demand that Shi'ite fighters in the southern city of Basra surrender within 72 hours, but neither Plowman nor his co-workers were harmed.

Plowman deployed to Kuwait in August, eager to use his 27 years of reserve training. After he arrived, he requested to go into Iraq.

"I just wanted to get closer to the decision-making, especially in communications," Plowman said. "I wanted to put my two cents in and see if I can make a difference."

While he was excited to serve, he said his wife, Suzanne Plowman, was not.

"She doesn't like it, of course, because it's not as safe," Plowman said.

He said they agreed he wouldn't volunteer for a long-term deployment until their youngest son left the house. Their son left on an LDS mission on Sept. 4 and promptly left four days later, Plowman left.

"We took care of the family first and then she acquiesced," he said.

His wife, who could not be reached for comment, said in an earlier Daily Universe interview that his absence would be a growing experience for both of them.

Plowman said his four children and co-workers were also excited, but leery, about his deployment.

Brad Rawlins, associate chair and undergraduate coordinator for the Department of Communications, said he understands why Plowman wanted to go but also understands about the concern for his safety.

""I know his family, and I worry about the stress and strain his absence might have on them," Rawlins said. "I don't know that I can do it, personally."

Rawlins said he still communicates with Plowman via e-mail and said the experience could enhance Plowman's professional skills.

Plowman still gives input in department decisions, although he has no academic responsibilities while on leave.

Liliya Velbovets, a senior from Kyev, Ukraine, majoring in public relations, had Plowman as a teacher and adviser. She said she liked the idea because Iraq is in need of public relations.

"I think it's a perfect case study on conflict resolution and policy making," Velbovets said. "For him as a professor, it is great for him to go see [the situation] with his own eyes and bring ... his experience back to the students."

Plowman hopes to eventually write academic papers on the public relation efforts in Iraq. Until then though, he'll continue his work in Iraq and will try to stay safe.